Brazos Bend State Park Trails

[wondershots]

Question having to do with early morning light. Can you get into the park before sunrise or do you need to spend the night there in the campground? I live just 30 minutes away and want to get some early morning shots but didn't want to chance facing a closed, locked gate.

[corralup]

Originally Posted by wondershots

Question having to do with early morning light. Can you get into the park before sunrise or do you need to spend the night there in the campground? I live just 30 minutes away and want to get some early morning shots but didn't want to chance facing a closed, locked gate.

Sometimes you can get the combination to get in before sunrise if you call a day ahead of time. But last time I tried that they weren't going to give it to me. Which I got T'd about it.
I guess it depends on who is on the other line.
The combination changes daily or weekly.
Call them and they will probably tell you to show up at 7am unless you are in their little early bird book and have the yearly park pass which is $70.00 now.
It's $7.00 per day for the park fee.
Most times I show up at the gate at 6:30am and follow another person in that has the combination or you might get lucky on a ranger opening the gate early. The year park pass is the way to go IMO.
My next trip I'll be making arrangements so I am in the early bird book.
I know I'm in there but apparently their is a complication with the new system they have now. Maybe I should have worded it that I was coming in late to camp out?

Anyone else having problems getting in before 7am? And that's with a park pass... Or is it just me?

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by corralup

Sometimes you can get the combination to get in before sunrise if you call a day ahead of time. But last time I tried that they weren't going to give it to me. Which I got T'd about it.
I guess it depends on who is on the other line.
The combination changes daily or weekly.
Call them and they will probably tell you to show up at 7am unless you are in their little early bird book and have the yearly park pass which is $70.00 now.
It's $7.00 per day for the park fee.
Most times I show up at the gate at 6:30am and follow another person in that has the combination or you might get lucky on a ranger opening the gate early. The year park pass is the way to go IMO.
My next trip I'll be making arrangements so I am in the early bird book.
I know I'm in there but apparently their is a complication with the new system they have now. Maybe I should have worded it that I was coming in late to camp out?

Anyone else having problems getting in before 7am? And that's with a park pass... Or is it just me?

I've never had a problem if I tell them I'm on the "early bird list" and want to enter early...they check the book and give me the combination, but I haven't been out there since July. I really need a nature fix...

[auddii]

So do you just ask to be on the early bird list when you buy your yearly pass? I need to go buy one of those. With all this rain though, it's going to be pretty wet this weekend (if they're open; I can't find an online list of scheduled closures anywhere).

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by auddii

So do you just ask to be on the early bird list when you buy your yearly pass? I need to go buy one of those. With all this rain though, it's going to be pretty wet this weekend (if they're open; I can't find an online list of scheduled closures anywhere).

This is a link Brazos Bend State Park Volunteer Organization with tons of information...When you buy a park pass just tell them you want on the "photographers early bird list" and they will take your information and put it in a book...then you can call get the combination and enter early anytime...when we go to DST in the spring is when I use it the most...in the winter I usually go out there at or after 8:00 am.

The combination does change weekly..

[mkweaver]

Love all the pictures posted here! Wonderful incentive. I didn't go a lot last summer because of the heat and drought, but need to get back out there! As said above: I need a nature fix!
Here are a few taken over time. Most around 40 acre lake

[DHaass]

Originally Posted by corralup

Sometimes you can get the combination to get in before sunrise if you call a day ahead of time. But last time I tried that they weren't going to give it to me. Which I got T'd about it.
I guess it depends on who is on the other line.
The combination changes daily or weekly.
Call them and they will probably tell you to show up at 7am unless you are in their little early bird book and have the yearly park pass which is $70.00 now.
It's $7.00 per day for the park fee.
Most times I show up at the gate at 6:30am and follow another person in that has the combination or you might get lucky on a ranger opening the gate early. The year park pass is the way to go IMO.
My next trip I'll be making arrangements so I am in the early bird book.
I know I'm in there but apparently their is a complication with the new system they have now. Maybe I should have worded it that I was coming in late to camp out?

Anyone else having problems getting in before 7am? And that's with a park pass... Or is it just me?

I've never had an issue getting in before opening time. Buy the annual pass, ask to be placed in the "Early Bird" Book and provide the proper information they ask for. If you call the ranger station the day before (during the manned gate operating hours) and tell them you are in the "Early Bird" Book they will look it up and gladly give you the code for that day.

If you are running late and come through when they are already open you will have to show your pass. If you do not have the pass they apparently do not have a way to look it up in the system. That's the only issue I can think of. If the person working the gate knows you on sight it's no biggie, but you still have to get a temporary sticker to hang from your window. That's what happened to me on Thanksgiving morning. My bad for not having the pass in my truck, not theirs.

Other than that scenario it's never been an issue.

[DHaass]

Originally Posted by wondershots

Question having to do with early morning light. Can you get into the park before sunrise or do you need to spend the night there in the campground? I live just 30 minutes away and want to get some early morning shots but didn't want to chance facing a closed, locked gate.

Buy the annual pass ($70 for a year) and ask to be placed in the "Early Bird" Book. It helps the parks and you get the benefit of getting in as early as you like. There's nothing like having the opportunity to get in 30 minutes or more before sunrise in order to get on your favorite trail and catch the first rays of sunrise. They are almost always open, including holidays, with the exception of some posted special events. These can be found on their website.

[David Alaniz]

I need to check out the rest of the park since it has so much to offer. I'm partial to the 40 acre lake trail area because....you can meet some of the best people.

I have a yearly pass and call for the combination to the gate. I tell them I'm in the early bird book (no issues).

[DHaass]

Looks like you caught my best side in #3 David. Nothing like a good sneak attack. Is Tim T. autographing that guy's shirt?

[David Alaniz]

Now that you mentioned it Doug....I think you may be on to something. Have to ask Tim his version.

[gll]

Originally Posted by Stargazer77517

Gary, wait until spring. The ponds are really low now and is kind of a hit and miss this time of year. In April I will be putting together the 2nd annual gathering out there. (somewhere on the 14th or 21st).
That would be a good time to come and meet some folks from here and the activity would be picking up.

thanks Fred that would be fun!

[wondershots]

Thanks to all for the feedback on getting in early. I've always been a pass holder but never knew about the "Early Bird" book. It's about time to renew so I'll ask about that.